How powerful is the US Presidency in the 21st century, relative to other points in our history?

[YoungDemCA]

While I am under no illusions that the President can do whatever he wants, or that Congress, the federal bureaucracy, and the Supreme Court aren't all formidable in their own ways, there is still an awful lot of power vested in this one office.

Compared to other points in our history, how powerful do you think the Presidency is nowadays?

[South_Street]

1. More than ever...

Due to the increased complexity of our laws, increased security posture and the incredible reach that technology provides that previous Presidents couldn't have dreamed of.

[bigwillq]

19. Hello.

Welcome to DU!

[el_bryanto]

2. More powerful than the founders intended but less powerful than most recent presidents I'd say.

I guess it depends on effective power vs legal power, but Republicans in Congress have been determined since his first election to prevent him from getting anything he wants. That kind of oppositions limits his ability to get what he wants.

Bryant

[uponit7771]

6. delete

delete

[el_bryanto]

10. I don't understand. Are you telling me to delete this post? nt

[uponit7771]

11. no, deleting mine

[Maedhros]

3. The current President has claimed and used the power to execute U.S. citizens without due process,

based only upon his personal belief that they are enemies of the State.

That crosses a line that hasnt' been crossed before.

[uponit7771]

7. Common Winger Meme - Obama is a dictator, other presidents have done the same as you mentioned

... why is Obama being made an issue of?

tia

[NYC Liberal]

8. Killing soldiers on the battlefield is hardly

"A line that hasn't been crossed before".

Those "US citizens" are waging war on the battlefield, and unless you're claiming that we are required to arrest and try every soldier encountered in war, that argument is nonsense.

Saying that "US citizens are being executed without due process" is dishonest in the extreme. That verbiage is meant to conjure up an image of Average Joe walking down Main Street minding his own business and suddenly getting blown to oblivion by a Hellfire missile. That's bullshit. They are waging war on foreign soil against US soldiers and no due process is required nor has it ever been.

Due process, when it's required, is afforded to all persons - not just citizens. Therefore if due process is required to go after a US citizen waging war against the US, then it would also have been required that we arrested and tried every German soldier in WWII and would not have been allowed to kill them on the battlefield. Obviously that is nonsense.

[woo me with science]

12. "on the battlefield"

The whole world has been declared the battlefield. This defense is absurd.

[Maedhros]

16. With regards to Al-Awlaki and his 16 year old son, no.

They were not on any battlefield. There were no opposing forces in conflict, there was no firefight in process, there exists no state of war between the United States and Yemen.

Al-Awlaki was not waging war against the United States - he was engaged in anti-U.S. propaganda and was promoting jihad. This is protected speech as determined by Brandenburg v. Ohio. He was not armed, was not engaged in violence and commanded no military assets. As for the allegations that he was an operations planner involved in attempted terrorist activities, these are unproven. Indeed, no charges were filed against Al-Awlaki and no arrest warrants issued. He was accused and executed without the chance to face his accusers in a court of law.

Al-Awlaki's son was killed under even more dubious circumstances, if that is even possible.

You are parroting Pentagon memes that, when considered critically, simply don't make sense.

[woo me with science]

9. +100000 Arbitrary arrest and punishment, and killing.

Obama repeals Magna Carta, asserting powers our forefathers denied to Kings
http://sync.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=55620

[bowens43]

4. Don't you watch FOX? It's a freaking dictatorship!!

[uponit7771]

5. Winger meme is Obama is a dictator and in control of everything so nothings their fault. Many ...

... "progressives" take the same tone

[woo me with science]

13. Yes, and calling it a "winger meme"

makes indefinite detention and "Kill Lists" acceptable.

[uponit7771]

14. So you're defending the winger "dictator" meme and or think it's valid? tia

[woo me with science]

15. Argle blargle.

Spare it.

[uponit7771]

18. Winger like deflection too... facts are good no? tia

[woo me with science]

20. What "fact" was in that post?

14. So you're defending the winger "dictator" meme and or think it's valid? tia

Here. This may help: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fact

Now, what was the "fact"?

[uponit7771]

21. The question you're avoiding answering? P.S. You've gone through this before, you know I'm just goin

... to keep refering back to my question and you're going to keep deflecting because you know you guys don't like to be caught with a line of logic that's indefensible no?

tia

[woo me with science]

22. ...

So sad.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. "History has tried to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians.

"History has tried to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians. Now, to go and stick one at the very head of government couldn't be wise." Mark Twain